State Day Features Talented 4-H'ers

Barre--The 2013 4-H State Day, the annual showcase of 4-H talent, will combine the traditional with the trendy as 4-H club members from across the state gather in Barre, May 18, to demonstrate skills ranging from animal care, healthy cooking and crafts to pallet gardening, recycling and CPR.

All the action takes place at the Municipal Auditorium at the Barre Civic Center, beginning at 9 a.m. with an opening assembly and ending with an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. The University of Vermont Extension event, which is free and open to the public, highlights a variety of action exhibits, stage presentations, demonstrations, illustrated talks, a photo gallery and more, all winners at state regional events.

From 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. 4-H'ers, ages 8 to 18, will present action exhibits followed by a fashion revue and stage presentations of song, dance, music, skits and comedy acts. Communication presentations, including individual and team demonstrations and illustrated talks, will begin at 10 a.m.

Throughout the day, visitors may tour the photo and poster galleries, check out the homemade quilts on display and view PowerPoint presentations, videos and video games developed by 4-H'ers. The event also features tabletop displays created by 4-H clubs and individuals illustrating a wide range of topics such as foods and nutrition, beekeeping, horses, environmental issues, wildlife and uses of wool, among others.

At the awards ceremony, winners of the stage presentations, action exhibits and poster and photography divisions selected to represent Vermont at Eastern States Exposition, W. Springfield, Mass. in September will be announced. All the fashion revue participants chosen for State Day also will model their outfits at the Big E along with 4-H'ers from the five other New England states.

The Washington County 4-H Foundation will sell food and beverages at State Day. In addition, young spectators and their parents may work on art projects at an unstaffed arts and crafts table during the event.

For more information, contact 4-H Program Director Sarah Kleinman at (800) 571-0668 (toll-free) or by e-mail at sarah.kleinman@uvm.edu.